Question:

Hope you can help me, I have called four different spa companies concerning my screw up and everyone gives me a different answer.  I added the calcium hardness and the spa sentry and got a big mess.  I have an oily mess on my filters and along the fill line, what should I do now, should I drain and refill and replace the filters?  If I use the filter degreaser on the filters will it remove the oil on the filters or should I just throw those away?   

Response:

First, whenever you use SpaGuard Spa Sentry, don't use calcium hardness increaser.  The Spa Sentry is only going to take it out of solution & make the water cloudy.  The best thing is to drain & refill.  Use the Spa Sentry but forget about the CH.  Only use Spa Sentry when freshly filling the spa after a drain & clean AND only after balancing the pH & Total Alkalinity.

Now, with the filter, SpaGuard Filter Cleaner should do a good job cleaning up the oils.  If the cartridge is older than 2 years, toss it & get a new one.  A good product to use to help keep the filter clean AND the waterline free from build ups is SpaGuard Natural Enzyme.  A couple of ounces per week will help "eat" up the greases & oils from bathers.  During the summer when people are going from tanning to soaking, it's just a good idea to shower off the skin products before going into the spa.  Reapply them when you go back into the sun.

Whenever you drain the spa, consider using Spa System Flush or Swirl Away to rid the plumbing lines of accumulations of "stuff". 

Follow Up Question:

Thank you so much for you help, I will do just that and start over.  I will remember to keep this website handy.  It is good to have someone answer your question and tell you where to go from there.  Should I use the spa System Flush at this point or can I just drain now and start over?

Follow Up Response:

Using the System Flush would be a good idea.  If you can get it locally, by all means, do it.  If not, we can get it out to you in a couple of days, and then use it next time you drain & refill. 

Question:

I have a hot tub, but have let myself run out of Total Alkalinity Increaser.  I have called several local Chemical stores and they only carry Alkalinity increaser for pools.  They both stated that it would work in my hot tub, because it was exactly the same stuff.  Is this true?  If not what is the difference.

Response:

Although the product may work and it is most likely the same ingredients, the labeling on the package is different.  One is for pools, one for spas & tubs.

Here's the issue:  if you use pool products in your spa, you're not using the product according to its specifications.  If a friend or family gets hurt or becomes ill in your spa, YOU are liable.  You didn't use the product correctly.  On top of that, the store you purchased it from KNOWINGLY sold you a product that was not going to be used for its specific purpose.  They're even more liable.  The bottom line is that you've got to use the right products for the particular application for liability reasons.

That's the round about answer.  If you would like to make life simpler so that you don't have to worry about pH & total alkalinity for a couple of months at a time, take a look at SpaGuard Spa Sentry.  After adjusting the pH & total alkalinity in the spa or hot tub, add 1 qt SpaGuard Spa Sentry per 500 gallons (1/2 qt. for 250 gallons or less).  That's it, your set for about 2 to 3 months.  This is especially great for when you change the water.

More Water Balance Questions here (page 3)

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